Cubs get Harden from the Athletics

One day after the Milwaukee Brewers landed an ace, the Chicago Cubs answered.

Intent on ending their 100-year drought without a World Series title, the NL Central leaders acquired talented right-hander Rich Harden in a six-player deal with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.

With CC Sabathia going to Milwaukee, Harden was the best available pitcher, Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry said.

“We felt that the two high-end guys who would possibly be available were the two that have already been traded,” Hendry said. “Those are legit 1 and 2 starters. So we tried to focus on trying to acquire one. It certainly wasn’t a reaction move.”

Chicago also got right-hander Chad Gaudin, who pitched previously for Cubs Manager Lou Piniella in Tampa Bay, and sent promising right-hander Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson to the A’s.

------

Pitcher Julian Tavarez signed with the Atlanta Braves, his third team this season.